Detroit ups its app game

The city of Detroit has released three mobile apps aimed at improving non-emergency services, making public transit more transparent for riders and more easily connecting with police.

The first app, called Improve Detroit, is a SeeClickFix app that allows users to easily report non-emergency neighborhood issues such as potholes, illegal dumping sites, abandoned cars, water main breaks, busted traffic signals, and other city problems.

Improve Detroit was released in April, and has been downloaded more than 6,000 times. According to a report by the Motor City Muckraker, the app has contributed to the clean-up of more than 3,000 illegal dumping sites. In addition, more than 2,000 potholes have been repaired, 565 abandoned vehicles removed and 277 traffic signals fixed.

A second app, called DDOT Bus, gives city riders real-time location, movement and arrival times for buses. It also includes a Nearest Stop Locator to find the nearby bus stops based upon the GPS locator on the user’s mobile device and a trip-planner to help users find the best way to get to their destination.

And a third, called Detroit Police provides up-to-date information on the police department and ways to contact police anonymously as well as crime updates and statistics.